Which cardio machine is right for you? FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV asks an expert for the answers. She shared what she found in our 10 Pounds Down! community group.

The stair master, the stationary bike, and the elliptical — we all have our favorite cardio machine at the gym, but which one is the best one for your body? We asked Dr. Yoav Suprun, DPT, a McKenzie physical therapist at Canyon Ranch in Miami Beach to weigh in on the pros and cons of some of your favorite gym staples.

The Stationary Bike
Pros: Low impact, easy on the joints, offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: The riding position can bring on back pain, or aggravate sciatica for some. “We flex our spine all day and sit for hours - why sit for a cardio session?” asks Dr. Suprun.

The Elliptical
Pros: Low impact, upright position of the body, also easy on the joints and offers a wide range of intensity options
Cons: If you have a small structure or small frame, using an elliptical with handles would be pulling your body out of alignment. “People suffer from holding the handles as it pulls on the lower back and neck once the handle is moved forward,” explains Dr. Suprun.

Keep reading for more pros and cons of your favorite cardio machines.

FitSugar reader Shockinglydelicious shared this kale and edamame salad recipe, which she posted in our Healthy Recipe group.

Kale, edamame, garbanzos, cranberries . . . it's better than the version sold by Trader Joe's, I promise! Lots of healthy fiber and greens. Recipe for my kale and edamame bistro salad here.

Share your own recipe in our Healthy Recipe group, and we may feature it on our homepage!

Don't let the elements stop you! OnSugar blogger egilbride shares her thoughts on why she loves running in the rain in her blog, Ready to Run.

Today I went for a run . . . in the rain. I know most people HATE running in the rain, but sometimes I prefer it to running on a sunny day. Take my Rock n Roll Half-Marathon (did I mention it was my first half-marathon EVER?!) that I ran last August. I may sound a little extreme when I say this, but it was literally like a monsoon. And I loved every minute of it! If I had been running in 90-degree weather in the city in August, I'm not sure I would have finished. But running a half-marathon in the rain was . . . refreshing. Other than causing me to wait in line for the porta-potty a couple of times, the constant downpour didn't have much of an adverse effect on me.

Then today, I went for a run . . . and it was amazing. I left my cell phone at home (see my last post reviewing my armband), which meant no GPS and no way to track my time, other than by using my iPod nano, which was set for the wrong time. It was just me, the road, and the rain. And what did I accomplish? A lot! Since I didn't have my phone telling me when I hit each mile and what my time was, I wasn't as worried about speeding up my pace at every mile to hit my goal time. But instead, I reached another "goal," which was to run my entire "course" — which includes running around my ENTIRE hilly block, including one the size of Grendall — twice! And I felt great! It may seem like a small feat to some, but that 2.62 miles (it's just a guess) was the best accomplishment I've made since I started running again! Here's to more victories to come in the future!

Do you like running in the rain? Share your own thoughts on outdoor running below. Start your own OnSugar blog and we might feature your posts on our homepage.

Hate crunches and planks? Work your abs, and then some, off the mat with this 10-minute standing abs workout from FitSugar reader JessicaSmithTV. She posted it in the 10 Pounds Down community group.

Join fitness expert Jessica Smith for this full-length, 10-minute standing abs video workout that will keep your heart rate up as you target your abdominals (and more!) for even faster results.

Share your own workouts in our Fit Community, and we may feature you on our homepage!

Reader FitFabCities has a tank top workout for you to do at home — all you need is a pair of weights! She shared it with us in our FitSugar Community.

With Spring here and Summer around the corner, what could be better than a printable workout designed specifically to help you get tank top arms? I love this season's sleeveless tops and maxi dresses, but after a long Winter of sweaters and long-sleeve blouses, my arms could use a little toning. (Truth be told, I'm pretty self-conscious about my upper arms so I love exercises that focus on shaping my shoulders and triceps.) Add this workout into your regular cardio routine or some lower body strength work (like the Perfect 10 Lean Legs Workout). All you need is a pair of dumbbells and you'll be sporting fabulous toned arms in your favorite outfit this Spring and Summer!

Happy Workout!

You can get the printable version with exercise descriptions and tips here.

Share your own workouts, find a new one, or just get inspired in our FitSugar Community!

FitSugar reader Figandfork posted an inventive appetizer in our Healthy Recipe group. With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you can make it too.

A healthy, super-quick vegan dip!

See the full recipe for this walnut pecan pate at Fig and Fork, then share your own delicious recipes in our Healthy Recipe group. We may feature your post on our homepage!

FitSugar reader For the Love of Fiber offers vegan, gluten-free, and kid-friendly energy bars inspired by the Ben and Jerry's Chunky Monkey ice cream flavor. She shared it with us in our Healthy Recipe group in the Fit Community.

Chunky Monkey Super Omega-3 Energy Bars
Makes 12 bars

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 12 medjool dates, pitted
• 1 cup raw walnuts
• 1 cup quinoa flakes
• ½ cup chia seeds
• ¼ cup milled flaxseed
• ¼ cup cacao nibs or dark chocolate chunks
• 1 tbsp. virgin coconut oil
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

See the full recipe after the break!

FitSugar reader Whipped shared this party-ready artichoke-walnut pesto crostini recipe in our Healthy Recipe group.

Vegan Artichoke-Walnut Pesto Crostini
Serves 4-6
The pesto can be made 2-3 days in advance and kept in the fridge. Otherwise you can freeze it for up to a month.

Ingredients:

• 14 ounces canned artichoke hearts, drained
• 1 cup packed fresh basil
• 3/4 cups walnuts, toasted
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 1b campari tomatoes, sliced thin (or any other small tomato)
• 1 baguette, cut into 1/2-inch slices

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
2. In a food processor, pulse artichoke hearts, basil, walnuts, garlic, lemon juice, salt, pepper, 1/4 cup oil, and water until combined.
3. Place bread slices on a large baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Bake 5 minutes, or until lightly browned.
4. Spread pesto on warm crostini and top each with one tomato slice. Return to oven for another 1- 1 1/2 minutes, or until tomato is heated through.
5. Serve warm.

Visit Whipped's blog for more healthy party ideas, and don't forget to share your recipes in our Healthy Recipe group!

FitSugar reader Dhitri has an embarrassing tale about her first half marathon. She shared her story in our RunningSugar community group. Help her out by sharing your own funny or embarrassing race tales below!

So you know I ran my first half and had the greatest time ever.

There were a few blunders, of course (what's a race without 'em?). Firstly, I arrived only half an hour before the start. Leaving the house without breastfeeding my little miss didn't feel right (and I had to lose that excess fluid from that part of my body anyway!) and it took longer than anticipated. Then of course I completely forgot about the road closures! We were stuck in traffic and I had to hop out of the cab and run to the event location to save me a few minutes. Also, in all my excitement, I forgot to put on any Vaseline or Bodyglide and even forgot to apply sunscreen. My skin was dry and full of marks from me scratching all night (I do that when nervous). My legs never looked this ugly!

But here comes a big confession: I peed in my pants during the run. Okay, firstly I have to criticize the otherwise flawlessly organized race. There were simply not enough portaloos! The line before the start was just EPIC.

Initially I didn't feel like I needed to go, but then remembered that I downed a lot of water when I woke up at 5AM (2 hours before start) and even though I went a few times at home, I felt like I needed to visit the conveniences in case I needed to wee because of the cold (it was a chilly morning at 10 degrees C) or nerves. I braved the line until a couple minutes before start (and was still nowhere near my turn). Big mistake! I should have braved the bushes instead.

Read on for the rest of Dhitri's story!